The pilot episode of NBC’s “Parenthood” is among eight television shows that will be honored this spring by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for serving up “television with a conscience.”

The awards for television shows that aired in 2010 will highlight programs that took on topics ranging from sexual abuse to racism, teen pregnancy and childhood obesity.

The first episode of “Parenthood” was selected for exploring how autism affects an entire family. During the show, parents Kristina and Adam Braverman learn that their son Max has Asperger’s syndrome.

The awards, which will be presented in May, honor shows that “celebrate the power of television to change attitudes and lives,” the Academy said.

Aside from “Parenthood,” other programs that will be recognized include “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Friday Night Lights.”

This is not the first time that television programming focusing on disabilities has caught the Academy’s attention. Last year, a documentary on autism and Fox’s “Glee” received awards for addressing disability issues.

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